The entire training hall was a mess. Gauntlet of Wooden Warriors? Tuned to dust. Seven-Talon Rings? crushed metal and bits of wood. Jade Tortoise of Wisdom? Scattered all over the place like broken fine China. The only thing left standing, was a tall and muscular snow leopard. He was panting heavily and was kneeling. His entire body was on the verge of collapsing, but he felt so…ACOMPLISHED. He finally had beat his record of 27 seconds to just 19. All his years of training has finally payed off. His father will be so proud when he hears this. It was then, that a young tiger came into the room.

"Tai-Tai?"

"…"

"Tai-Tai? Shifu said he wants you."

"….."

"Tai-Tai where are yo–GASP. TAI-LUNG!"

The young tiger saw Tai-Lung surrounded by the mess that was the training hall, and immediately assumed the worse. She ran as quickly as her little legs could carry her, being careful enough to step over the sharp metal. The tiger had tears streaming down her young face.

"Tai-Tai, are y-y-you ok?"

Huh?

"Tigress, why are you crying?" Tai-Lung asked in confusion. "DID SOMEBODY HURT YOU?!"

"I-I saw you on your knees and the t-t-training hall was destroyed and I-I I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!"

"NOOO. No no no no no. NO. I'm fine Tigress, see?"

He got up and lifted her into his arms.

"See? I was just tired." Tai-lung began to carry Tigress out of the room. "Aaaww, you were worried about your big brother? I'm flattered," he joked.

Tigress scoffed. "Me? Worried about YOU? In your dreams. I was just worried that we were under attack."

"Sure you were. What did you come get me for?"

"Shifu wants to see you in the kitchen. Do you think it has something to do with the Dragon scroll?!" Tigress wanted her big brother's dream become a reality and be chosen as the Dragon Warrior. He worked so hard for that title. He deserved it.

"Maybe. You never know kitten."

When Tai-Lung finally saw Shifu, he put Tigress down and started to walk over to his father. "GOOD LUCK TAI-TAI!"

"Thank you, kitten."

Tai-Lung reached Shifu and bowed with his fist in his open palm. "Master, I heard you asked for my presence, Is something the matter?"

"Everything is fine Tai-Lung. I called you here at the request of Oogway." Shifu began to grin, "Tai-Lung…I think It's time."

"Really? You think so?"

"Yes. And I know that you will be chosen. You MUST be chosen. You're too much of an accomplished warrior not to be." Shifu had the most earnest look on his face when he said what he said next. "You are going to make me..SO proud. Remember that.

Tai-Lung bent down and hugged his father with so much love. Shifu always encourage and made him feel loved."Thank you Master."

It was then that Oogway Finally arrived. "Friends, I've returned."

Both Shifu and Tai-Lung bowed with their fist in their open palm. "Master."

"Rise, no need for such formalities." Obeying their master, they both rose.

Oogway turned to Tai-Lung, "Tai-Lung,"

"Yes master?"

"Shifu and I have called you here to discuss an important topic." While talking, the three men started to walk off into the Hall of Heros."Now, we all know the reason why we called you here," said Oogway. He began to walk around Tai-Lung, "Now Tai-Lung, I am aware of how much you've grown over the years, both physically AND spiritually, and really took that into consideration," Oogway said, "I've also considered your... motive... for becoming the Dragon Warrior." Oogway finally stopped with a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry Tai-Lung, but you are not the Dragon Warrior."

Tai-Lung was in disbelief, "What?"

"Tai-Lung, I'm truly sorry, but there is too much darkness in your heart. Your intentions are not for the right reason," Oogway placed a hand on Tai-Lung's shoulder, "So, I must say with a heavy heart, that you are not the Dragon Warrior."

Tai-Lung couldn't believe what he was hearing. He has worked his ASS off, training for that title. From the moment he was told the story of the Dragon warrior, it has been his DREAM to obtain the Dragon scroll and to become a hero. Shifu had told him countless and numerous times how there was greatness in his future–how he would be chosen. He said he was going to make him PROUD. How is he to do that now?

Tai-Lung turned to his master–expecting him to stand-up for him.

And he did.

"Master, surely you must be mistaken, you know just as much as I do that he's dedicated and passionate about Kung-Fu."

"I am aware, and like I said before, I took that into consideration, but his heart is too tainted to be chosen."

Shifu couldn't believe this. He would not–no, he REFUSED to stand by as his son's dream was taken away from him. "Master, with all due respect, what darkness could possibly be in his heart? He has saved THOUSANDS of people, defeated the evilest of villains and gives his services to everyone in the village, no matter how small the problem."

Oogway couldn't believe how ignorant Shifu was to Tai-Lung's true feelings. "Shifu, I KNOW of all of the good the boy has done, but it's his motive for doing them that holds him back."

Shifu was in UTTER confusion. "MASTER, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG WITH HIS MOTIVES?! PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, ENLIGHTEN ME. WHY CAN'T MY SON BE THE DRAGON WARRIOR?!"

Oogway placed a hand on Shifu's shoulder, "Shifu, calm down, no need to get so worked up, old friend." Oogway began to demonstrate deep breaths, "Do it with me." Shifu obeyed and took deep breaths too. "Are you calm now?"

Shifu sighed, "Yes master, I am calm."

Oogway turned to Tai-Lung, "Tai-Lung, I understand how much you wanted to be chosen and I'm not trying to kill your dream, but your heart and spirit is just not ready," Oogway placed a hand on Tai-Lung's shoulder, "Do you understand child?"

Tai-Lung didn't want to hear it anymore. "Master," Tai-Lung said as he bowed down to Oogway. Then he got up and calmly left the room.

Tai-Lung was in his room, laying in bed. He felt utterly useless. He failed his father, and he could never come back from that. He probably didn't love him–didn't want to even LOOK at him anymore. That's when he heard the soft pitter-patter of his master's feet.

"Tai-Lung, are you in here?"

"No."

He was here to tell him how much of a disappointment he was. "Tai-Lung, can I please come in?"

"No."

Shifu came inside anyways and closed the door. Tai-Lung was standing with his back to his master.

"I thought I said no."

Shifu sighed, "Tai-lung, please look at me."

"..."

"LOOK AT ME!"

Tai-lung reluctantly turned to him, expecting a look of disappointment. And Shifu was disappointed.

In himself.

Shifu had tears in his eyes, ready to cry. "Tai-Lung, I am..so..SORRY. I never meant for this to happen or to hurt you like this. I shouldn't have filled your head with hopes of being chosen, only for you to be denied. I shouldn't have lead you on like this. I shouldn't have killed your dream. For that, I apologize."

Tai-Lung was in utter confusion. "Why are you saying sorry? I was the one that failed YOU. You believed that I was to be chosen, that I would be a hero and I failed you. You wanted me to be great–to a be a LEGEND-and I failed you. You said I would make you proud...and I failed you." Tai-Lung's eyes was filled to the brim with tears.

Shifu slowly walked up to Tai-Lung and grabbed his hand, "Tai-Lung, you have not and never will fail me. I was wrong for telling you those things," Shifu confessed" And you should be able to be who you WANT to be. You don't need some silly title to tell you that. Never let anyone tell you otherwise," he exclaimed. "I am so proud to be the father of both you and your sister, and I will love both of you, no matter what you decide to become. Always be true to yourself. If you want to be a dancer, a doctor, a comedian, a janitor, shoot– A NOODLE MAKER, just know that that I will always be proud of both of you, because a father's love is unconditional."

Tai-Lung embraced his father, never wanting to let go

"Tai-Tai? Are you in here?"

Tigress came into the room and was completely caught off guard when she was immediately embraced by both her father and brother. "Are you guys ok?"

"Tigress, you mean the absolute world to me, did you know that?"

Tigress was utterly confused, but welcomed the embrace, so she hugged back. And so, they held each other, never wanting to let go.

Like a real family.

"Never forget Tai-Lung," Shifu said.

Tai-Lung

Tai-Lung

TAI-LUNG!

TAI-LUNG!

"AAAhh." Tai-Lung fell from his chair and hit his head. He looked up to see a pair of emerald green eyes. "Goodness Kai, do you have to be that loud?"

Kai looked at him in annoyance, "I called 20 times and you wouldn't wake up Tai-Lung."

"You could've just lightly tapped me, not make me go DEAF!"

"Yea, but it wouldn't be as fun."

"Will you two imbeciles shut-up?" said a white and red peacock. "We've hit land."

"Oh, really? Good looking out Shen," Tai-Lung yawned. That was some dream he had. "You guys ready?"

"You know it," Kai said ready to fight.

"Let's just get this over with," Shen said ready to leave.

"Alright gang, let's move out. We got a mission to complete."